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Monday, April 1, 2013

A to Z April Challenge: A is for Arlee and Alda

is for Arlee as in “Arlee Bird,” founder of
the A to Z April Challenge.Arlee is my
creative hero, the godfather of my blog.Before I stumbled into last year’s A to Z April Challenge, I had no real
vision about what to do with my research on the Jollett family.A to Z rescued me from the dry and dusty deeds
and wills, pointing me in the direction of story-telling.Thank-you, Lee.I appreciate all the encouragement you have
given me.

My A to Z challenge this time will focus on the women in my
database, particularly those with unusual names, some more unusual than others. First up is Alda Beatrice Clift, my first
cousin twice removed.

When Alda was just 8 years old, she testified in her
parents’ divorce trial. And what a story
she had to tell:

Deposition on file with Page County Chancery Causes
online at Library of Virginia

Lawyer: Just tell me what happened when your father came
to the house.

Alda: When he come
in, Mama said she was not expecting him home, and he said I come home when you
are not expecting me. Mama asked him if
he wanted his supper and he said yesem, and he said what do you have for meals,
and Mama said 25 cents, and he gave her 25 cents and she laid it up on the shelf. Mama cooked his supper and he set down and he
eat and he pulled out a pass out of his pocket and said Sallie I got a pass for
Luray. I am going to Luray and get me a
divorce, and Mama went into the kitchen to wash the dishes and he got up and
came out there, and Mama came back in the dining room and Papa pulled out his
gun and held it up that away, and said I am going to kill you, and then me and
Mama commenced to scream and I said Papa put your gun back in your pocket and
then me and Mama went out doors, and he followed us out and when we got out to
the gate he got his gun out again and then he said I dare you to come back in
here, I will shoot your G__ D__ brains out; you or any other man. Me and Mama went on down street and then we
went hunting for Mr. Whiteside, and Eddie Bricker come to me and Mama first,
and we found Mr. Whiteside and he went on up home.

Alda Beatrice Clift 1905 - 1982
It looks like she has only one arm,
but it's behind her back.

Lawyer: Where did
you and your Mama stay that night?

Alda: Down to Aunt Vick’s (meaning Mrs. Decatur Breeden)

Lawyer: Do you
want to stay with your mother or would you rather go live with your father?

Alda: I want to
stay with my Mama.

Lawyer: Why would
you not want to live with your father?

Alda: Because he
is too mean to me.

No Appointment necessary to Alight Among the Artists and
Authors at A to Z.

What a wealth of information you have in your ancestors paper trails and photos. You've given those dry and dusty deeds, wills and now depositions, a whole new meaning through the stories you tell and share here on Jollett Etc.

Alda's tramatic story is a great start for the AtoZ Challenge.I'm so glad I found you last year for AtoZ 2012 and the 1940 Community Census Project. You and Arlee are both inspiring and encouraging. Thank-you!

What a devastating experience for a young child to have to go through. Incredible. But you know that stuff does happen...sometimes it seems so sanitized when we read about it in an archived document. Wonder what the impact was on the rest of her life...

The few things I know about Alda make it seem as if there were no significant negative effects. But, of course, who can tell what sorrows are masked by a bright smile in a photo? I do know that she and one of her brothers cut off all ties with their father, but one brother maintained a relationship with him.

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About Me

My name is Wendy. About twenty years ago, I helped my mother research the Jolletts. Since retiring from teaching, I have expanded my research which I share here. When I’m not looking for my own family, I index for FamilySearch and the Greene County Historical Society.
Welcome to Jollett Etc. Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. If you have more information or believe we are related, EMAIL ME at wendymath at cox dot net